Tampa Bay Skeptics Report

Magazine Overview

Title: Tampa Bay Skeptics Report
Issue: Volume 2, Number 1
Date: Summer 1989
Publisher: Tampa Bay Skeptics, Inc.
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the Tampa Bay Skeptics Report focuses heavily on the organization's successful hosting of the CSICOP (Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal) banquet and conference, alongside other skeptical news and activities.

CSICOP Banquet and Conference

The April 22-23 visit by the CSICOP Executive Council to Tampa was a significant success, attracting 120 attendees. The event aimed to foster a concurrent meeting among various southern skeptical groups, though not all were able to send representatives.

The noon press conference on Saturday featured CSICOP Chairman Prof. Paul Kurtz, who gave introductory remarks. CSICOP Executive Director Mark Plummer discussed the case of Willard Fuller, Florida's "psychic dentist," known for claims of enabling people to grow new teeth and turn silver fillings to gold. Philip Klass, Chairman of CSICOP's UFO Subcommittee, briefly addressed the Gulf Breeze UFO photo case. James Randi, a conjurer and exposer of psychic fraud, discussed his nationally-syndicated TV special offering $100,000 for anyone performing a paranormal feat successfully (no winners were found). Randi also invited Largo psychic Barbara Jett to Los Angeles for a test, which she declined. TBS founder Gary Posner concluded the press conference by discussing his own '$1,000 Challenge' and the difficulties in getting psychics like Janet Sciales and Barbara Jett to undergo testing.

Following a social gathering, the banquet featured speakers like Paul Kurtz, who compressed his lecture on the history of skepticism into 15 minutes. Psychologist James Alcock spoke about the "channeling" craze, highlighting J.Z. Knight's "Ramtha" channeling sessions which charge $600 per person. Mark Plummer discussed efforts to involve law enforcement in protecting the public from fraudulent psychics. James Randi's planned talk on "psychic surgery" was replaced by a discussion of his TV special and his investigation into water memory claims.

The conference reconvened on Sunday morning with physicist Willy Smith, a UFO believer who was excommunicated from MUFON for his skepticism of the Gulf Breeze case. Dr. Joe Nickell also presented.

Tampa Bay Skeptics Activities

Statement of Purpose and '$1,000 Challenge': Tampa Bay Skeptics (TBS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to critically examining paranormal claims. They are sponsoring a '$1,000 Challenge' for anyone who can provide evidence of paranormal phenomena. Details are available upon request.

TBS Report: The publication is quarterly, and welcomes contributions. Views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily TBS.

Chairman's Corner: Pat Strong, Ph.D., discusses addressing high school students about skepticism. He notes common beliefs in premonitions, UFOs as alien visitors, haunted houses, and out-of-body experiences. Strong emphasizes the lack of skeptical thinking skills among students and the need to educate them in critical thinking to evaluate sensationalized reports.

St. Pete. Times Report: Sciales and Jett have no plans to allow testing by TBS: This article reveals that astrologer Janet Sciales and psychic Barbara Jett are unwilling to undergo testing by TBS for their claimed abilities, despite previous indications. Sciales questions the fairness of proposed tests, while Jett suggests Dr. Posner is psychic himself, implying a reluctance to face a peer.

Christian Scientist parents guilty of murder: Bill and Chris Hermanson were found guilty of third-degree murder and child abuse for refusing medical treatment for their diabetic daughter, influenced by Christian Science practitioner Frederick Hillier.

Exorcism leads to death, murder charges: A mother and an exorcist, Mary Nicholson, face murder charges after a 4-year-old girl died following an exorcism involving starvation and physical abuse.

Florida Creation Science Center planned: Clearwater Christian College is seeking donations to build a Creation Science Center, with a student quoted as saying, "I don't see how you can have the science without the Bible."

Snippets

This section contains various brief news items:

• Jim and Tammy Bakker are planning a religious theme park in Orlando.
• A Louisiana pipefitter's visions led a group to believe they saw the Virgin Mary, with some taking photos of the sun.
• Indiana chiropractor Lee Walden was placed on probation for attributing medical problems to demons and supernatural spirits.
• Utah Sheriff Kerry Ekker sought psychics to find Ted Bundy's victims.
• Attorneys warned marijuana smugglers against using "magic" powder in court.
• Michael and Aurora El-Legion claimed a colony of 200,000 earthlings inhabit Mars, a fact covered up by the U.S. government, with Jackie Gleason being aware.
• Rev. Barry H. Downing suggests UFOs piloted by "angels" could establish scientific plausibility for the biblical field.
• Shirley MacLaine's book "Going Within" is discussed, detailing her views on chakras and "psychic surgery."
• A "Nation's Report Card" assessment shows deficits in higher-order thinking skills among American students.
• Five fortune tellers in Ireland had their crystal balls stolen, claiming they knew it would happen.

Readers' Forum

• Paul Kurtz and Mark Plummer express thanks for TBS's hospitality during the CSICOP conference, congratulating the group on its smooth preparation.
• Winston Matthews thanks TBS for the successful meeting and notes the workload placed on Gary Posner.
• John Baird requests a newsletter and membership after reading a St. Pete. Times article about TBS.
• Vernon Brown challenges skeptics with a contest related to his investigation into the Big Bang Theory, claiming it could not have happened and offering a prize for proof otherwise.

Editor's Notes: TBS is seeking volunteers for a recorded telephone message service and a computer bulletin board system operator.

Financial Statement

The TBS Statement of Income and Expenditures for fiscal year 1988 (6/1/88 - 5/31/89) shows total income of $4,186.45 and total expenditures of $3,981.91, resulting in a net balance of $204.54. The report notes the transition to a free checking account and anticipates no further bank charges.

First Anniversary Renewals Due

This issue marks the end of the first year of operations for TBS. The Board decided not to raise renewal prices, confident in the quality of the newsletter and hoping for a high renewal rate. The organization relies on continued reader support.

TBS Update Service

An optional service for those who want to be kept more closely informed of TBS activities via mail.

Upcoming Events

CSICOP Conference Videotape: Available for $10 (VHS only).

Next TBS Meeting: Monday, July 24, 7:30 PM, Room 130, Bayboro Hall, USF, St. Pete. Campus. General public welcome if seating is available.

Joan Morin Test: A test to determine "psychically" in which boxes objects are hidden will take place on Saturday, July 22, at the Spiritual Center, 560 Clearwater-Largo Rd., Largo.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the promotion of skepticism, critical thinking, and the scientific examination of paranormal claims. The Tampa Bay Skeptics Report consistently challenges pseudoscience, faith healing, and unsubstantiated claims, while also providing a platform for discussion and education on these topics. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and against the uncritical acceptance of extraordinary claims.